Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has expressed significant concern regarding the rise in soft tissue injuries within the NBA. He attributes this issue to the league’s increased pace of play combined with its grueling 82-game schedule.
Kerr Highlights Injury Concerns Related to NBA Pace
In recent days, high-profile injuries have drawn attention to this issue. Milwaukee Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a groin strain, while the San Antonio Spurs reported that Victor Wembanyama is sidelined with a calf strain and Stephon Castle has a hip flexor strain. Additionally, several other players, including Anthony Davis and Ja Morant, are currently out with similar injuries.
Understanding the Increased Pace of Play
- The NBA is experiencing its fastest average collective pace since the 1988-89 season.
- This season, players are traveling an average of 34.3 miles per game.
- Average speed is recorded at 4.43 mph, the highest since player tracking began in 2013-14.
According to Kerr, these conditions correlate with the injuries seen across the league. He noted the impact of fast-paced games, saying, “When everybody’s doing that, the games are much higher-paced.” Kerr believes this not only affects player health but also the quality of practice time.
Advocating for a Shorter NBA Schedule
Kerr has long been an advocate for reducing the NBA season from 82 games to 72 or fewer. He contends that this change would provide players with increased recovery and practice time. He remarked, “We literally haven’t had a single practice on this road trip.” The Warriors, for instance, faced their fifth back-to-back set of games within the first month of the season.
Challenges to Changing the Schedule
Despite the injuries and the demands of the schedule, Kerr is skeptical about the likelihood of reducing the number of games. He remarked on the difficulties surrounding the financial implications of such a change, stating, “All the constituents would have to agree to take less revenue.” Kerr’s sentiments reflect a broader concern about the balance between player welfare and financial priorities within the league.
As the season progresses, the NBA faces the challenge of addressing player health while maintaining its high-paced and revenue-driven environment.
